Multiple outlets self-actuated irrigation valve

Abstract

A novel irrigation valve having a single central inlet and a plurality of radially located outlets each covered by a sliding disk valve. Each disk valve is manually operable and in automatic mode is operated by the interference action of an innovative indexing mechanism which uses the hydraulic pressure of the inlet for its operation a single three-way solenoid valve is energized to actuate a piston within the indexing mechanism while a pin-teeth engagement of a cylinder-indexer assembly converts the linear motion of a piston rod into a rotary motion of an indexing arm. A battery operated timer controls the time intervals between each incremental rotation of an indexing arm in sequence until it is returned to its home position. The housing of the valve is compact and of low profile, thereby simplifying its manufacturing, assembling, installation and maintenance and reducing cost. Although suitable for use in controlling the distribution of water in an automatic irrigation circuit, it can be modified and be adapted for control of variety of liquids in fluid handling applications.

I claim: 
     
       1. An irrigation valve comprising a housing having a sealed fluid chamber,   an inlet in the chamber and a plurality of outlets in the chamber,   a plurality of closure members operable from outside said chamber for opening and closing said outlets,   an indexing mechanism for sequential operation of said closure members,   said indexing mechanism including a cylinder housing a hydraulically actuated piston that, when actuated, operates the indexing mechanism,   a solenoid valve actuated for a specific time period which, upon actuation, introduces a fluid into the cylinder to actuate the piston, and   a timer for operating the solenoid valve for said specific time period.   
     
     
       2. The irrigation valve of claim 1 where the closure members are concentrically arranged relative to the indexing mechanism. 
     
     
       3. The irrigation valve of claim 1 including a plurality of sealed, rotatable shafts, one shaft connected to each closure member. 
     
     
       4. The irrigation valve of claim 3 where the indexing mechanism engages each shaft to open the closure member connected thereto, and a spring member restores each closure member to a closed position upon disengagement of the shaft and the indexing mechanism. 
     
     
       5. The irrigation valve of claim 3 where a manually operated member is adapted to be connected to the shaft to hold the closure member open until manually released. 
     
     
       6. An irrigation valve comprising a housing having an inlet and a plurality of outlets,   closure members for each of the outlets which are normally in a closed position covering each outlet, and   an indexing mechanism having a hydraulically actuated indexer which rotates in a step wise fashion to engage individually and sequentially the closure members as the indexer rotates, said indexer being advanced into a predetermined angular position with respect to an outlet with each step to engage one closure member.   
     
     
       7. The irrigation valve of claim 6 where the closure members are concentrically arranged relative to the indexing mechanism. 
     
     
       8. The irrigation valve of claim 6 where the indexing mechanism includes a holding member with a plurality of teeth which engage the indexer and hold said indexer in a fixed position until the next closure member in sequence is being opened. 
     
     
       9. The irrigation valve of claim 8 including a piston housed in a cylinder which is operatively connected to the holding member so that as the piston moves within the cylinder the teeth are engaged and disengaged to rotate the indexer. 
     
     
       10. An irrigation valve including a valve housing,   an inlet port in the valve housing through which water enters the valve housing,   an indexing mechanism mounted to the valve housing to revolve in a step wise fashion in response to water entering the indexing mechanism,   a plurality of outlet ports in the valve housing through which water exits the valve housing, said outlet ports being concentrically positioned with respect to the indexing mechanism and each having a closure member which is individually engaged as the indexing mechanism revolves step by step,   each closure member having a closed position to cover the outlet port and prevent water from exiting the outlet port and an open position to uncover the outlet port and allow water to exit the outlet port when engaged by the indexing mechanism, each closure member returning to the closed position upon disengaging the indexing mechanism, and   an electronically responsive control valve which regulates the flow of water into and from the indexing mechanism and that, upon being actuated by an electrical signal, opens for a specific time period to allow water into the indexing mechanism to rotate the indexing mechanism though one step to engage one of the closure members and then closes to allow water to drain from the indexing mechanism, said indexing mechanism maintaining engagement with said one closure member until the control valve is reopened to rotate the indexing mechanism another step to engage the next closure member in sequence.   
     
     
       11. The irrigation valve of claim 10 including a battery operated programmable timer which operates the electronically responsive control valve. 
     
     
       12. The irrigation valve of claim 11 where the battery is charged by solar energy.